Varma Kalai (Tamil: )

is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating

from ancient Tamil Nadu in South India. The name literally translate as "The Art of Vital
Points". It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai.
Special Varamakalai.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Narambadi
Varma adi
Varma Koothiram
Kurunthadi Varmam

History
Legend has it that Lord Siva taught this art form to his son Lord Murugan and Lord
Murugan taught this art to the sage Agastya, foremost of the Siddhar's, during the times
of Sangam Literature.[citation needed] He transferred the knowledge of this art to
other Siddhar's and he also wrote treatises on this art in Tamil. The presence of shrines to
Agathiar in Courtallam suggests that he researched the art there.
Though Varma Kalai has its own form of katas and procedures, it was closely assorted with
Silambam's component Kuttu varisai and Kalaripayattu. Knowledge of Varma Kalai was
considered vital in both arts to become a Grand Master.[citation needed] The teachers were
called as Aasan (Tamil: ) and the grand masters were called as Periyaasan (Tamil:
) or Iyan (Tamil: ).
Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught to those of royal blood.[citation
needed] However, even royalty were required to pass the stringent requirements for discipleship.
The schools received nivandhanams (donation with high respect) from the Kings of Tamil
Kingdom (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava. Aasan and Periyaasan of Varma Kalai were highly
respected.[citation needed]
The art was taught only to selected individuals, but due to the strict requirements for new
students it never gained large numbers of adherents. Due to its secretive nature, Varma Kalai
remained largely unknown even in India until the release of the movie Indian, in which Kamal
Haasan played the role of a Varma Kalai expert. The film's popularity generated a resurgence of
interest in the art.[citation needed]
Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttu
varisai and Kalari training.
Requirements for Training
Varma Kalai teachers are highly selective in their choice of students. Disciples must meet a
number of criteria; beyond martial arts competence they are required to have an understanding of
biology, mathematics, political science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, Saamuthriga Lakshanam,
Yoga, military tactics, horsmanship, elephant riding, charioteering and Hindu philosophy
(Saiva,Vaisnava, Saktha, Koumara, Boutha, Samana) etc. The Varma Kalai martial artist is not
allowed to teach the art to others until he receives Deeksha from his Aasan or Periyaasan as in
recognition of him as an Aasan.

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Hearsays are that the rules were followed sincerely without exception, everyone who wished to
learn the art were not qualified to learn. It was taught only to selected individuals who qualified
but again all who learned does not qualify to become an Aasan. Also the Aasans and Periyaasans
did not pass on few techniques as they never met qualified diciple. It is being said that causes
such led to the loss of many great techniques, few Aasans who spoke to media deny that thought.
There is also a belief that the art was kept hidden for centuries for various reasons, it seems that
Aasans agree to that but there is no sound record on what facts set the art hidden.
Techniques
Varma Kalai is classified into 4 types:
Thodu Varmam
96 Vital Points triggered by a touch. Not deadly, but will affect the victim by disabling the body,
organ movements and function.
Padu Varmam
12 Vital Points that are fatal, causing immediate, severe effects upon the victim.
Thattu Varmam
Decisive Vital points that are used by the master. These are kept confidential until the master
pass on the knowledge to the selected disciple
Nooku Varmam (also known as) Meitheenda Kalai
Triggering vital points by focusing/ concentrating on the target. It takes several years of practice
for one to become an expert in Nooku Varmam.
In human body there are 108 Varmam's (Vital points) they are:
Vital Points

Part of Human body

25

From head to neck

45

From neck to navel

From navel to arm

14

Arms

15

Legs

Vital Points

Functions

64

Vadha Varmam

24

Pitha Varmam

Kaba Varmam

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According to Vaidhiya murai (Healing therapy

under Siddha medicine) the vital points are
explained as:

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Thattu Varmam

Presuure points in Varma

Kalai
According to Varma
Kalai aasans our body has 350
therapeutic Varma points and 108
lethal varma points which can be
attacked. These points are also
called Marma. Application of
pressure or insertion of needles on
the Marma points which are on
the body surface will affect the
flow of vital energy
or Pranam along our Nadis. An
attack on these points can render
the receiver immobile after the
attack. Results can vary from
person to person. It can also
depend on the force and velocity
used to strike.

Catagories of Marma points

Maasa Marma
Asthi Marma
Snayu Marma
Dhamani Marma
Sandhi Marma
Shira Marma
Maasa Marma deals with the pressure points on the skin , Asthi Marma at the bones , Snayu
Marma at the nerves, Dhamani Marma at the arteries, Sandhi Marma at the joints, Shira Marma
at the veins.

Number of Marma points in different parts of our body

From Top of the Head till Neck which forms the first unit one has 25 Marma or pressure
points.
From Neck till Naval Point which forms the second unit one has 45 Marma or pressure points.
From Naval Point till Anus which forms the third unit one has 9 Marma or pressure points.
Both Hands Anus which forms the fourth unit one has 14 Marma or pressure points.

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 Both Legs forming the fifth unit has 15 Marma or pressure points.
If we total all these we will get 108 points.
Narambadi
Varmaadi
Varma adi or Marma adi ("hitting vital spots") is a part of the art of healing and
) MarmaVidhya, It is a
harming Varma KalaiTamil: , Malayalam:
component of adi murai "law of hitting" which is a martial art that teaches methods to
attack pressure points of the human body. This system ofmarmam is part of Siddha Vaidhyam,
attributed to the Tamil sage Agastya and his disciples.
It is practiced in almost all parts of Tamil Nadu and in the Travancore region of Kerala. It is
supposedly derived from traditional Siddha medicine.
Pressure Points
Varma adi recognizes 108 marmas, 12 Padu marmas (death marmas) and 96 Thodu marmas
(touch marmas). There are also counter marmas to heal trauma to the marmas.
Varma Kotthuram
Kurunthadi Varmam

Varmam for treatment of Diseses

Varma Kalai has also been used to treat patients suffering from different problems. Diseases
treated include Asthma, Diabetes , Hair fall , kidney problems, obesity, paralysis, neuro
problems and many more.

Techniques applied to cure Ailments

Marukaalam
Thirumal Murai
Adangal Murai
Thiravukol Murai
Thadaval Murai
Marunthu Murai
Vayu Nilai Amarthal
Kattu Murai

Books on Varma Kalai

Few known books on Varma Kalai are listed below
Varma Suthram
Varma Beerangi

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 Naalu Maathirai
Naramparai
Narambu Suthram 100
Narambu Suthram 400
Varma Odivu Murivu Sara Suthram 1500
Panchakarnapinnal
Alavunool Piramaanam
Varma Odivu Murivu Kandasaari 300
Varma Thoondamani
Aksakkural Venba 300

Varma Kalai (the art of varmam) is considered to be very sacred. It is believed that Lord Siva
taught this art form. It is one of the oldest form of South Indian martial art and healing system.
The aim of Varma Kalai is to produce healthy individuals. The main purpose of this rare ancient
art of varmam is to save the precious human lives. Varma Kalai is very popular in southern part
of the county, more particularly in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
The term varmam appears in the Rigveda where Indra hits Vritra in a varmam with his vajra.
This system of varmam is part of Sidha Vaidhyam, whose origin is attributed to mythical sage
Agastya and his disciples.

According to the above versus, Lord Siva taught varmam to his wife Parvathi; later Parvathi
taught varmam to their son Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan then taught Siddha Agasthiyar.
Agasthiyar later gave a written form that reached the masses. But the original texts, directly
written by siddhas, are not available now. Saints who have grasped the meaning of the siddhas
sayings have given a poetic form, which is used in modern day learning. So far, around 50,000
songs are available.

Varmam has grown under three independent schools of thoughts, mainly governed by three
ancient siddhas namely Akasthiyar, Bohar and Rama Devar, The narrated history has been
mentioned in the 41st prose of Kai Mathirai Thiravukol as follows:

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One of the current available texts Sarasuthram gives the criteria for teaching varmam to eligible
students.

It says that a varmam teacher should teach varmam only to a sivayogi. Sivayogi means
devotee of Siva. Knowledge of Varma Kalai is passed through generation after generation.
People who have mastered the art are called asaans (masters). Varma asaans are also known as
varmaanis. In order to learn this Art, it is necessary to work with an Asaan for a minimum period
of 12 years.
Classifications of Varmam
Human body is divided into five areas in which varma points are discussed. They are:
Unit Area

Number of Points

From Top of the Head till Neck 25

II

From Neck till Naval Point

45

III

From Naval Point till Anus

IV

Both Hands

14

Both Legs

15

Total

108

Varma Therapy
Studies about each varmams (pressure points) characteristics like location of the varmam, depth
and width of varmam, the pressure with which the varmam has to be tuned to cure diseases
constitutes the mainstream study in varma therapy.
The various techniques that can be applied to cure varmam related injuries are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

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Marukaalam
Thirumal Murai
Adangal Murai
Thiravukol Murai
Thadaval Murai [Applying massage techniques]
Marunthu Murai [Applying medicines]

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7. Vayu Nilai Amarthal

8. Kattu Murai

Techniques like Marukaalam and Thiravukol Murai are used for instant relief. Techniques like
Thadaval Murai and Thirumal Murai should be done at least for three consecutive days to give
relief from varmam related injuries
Disorders that can be cured by Varma Therapy

Various other disorders that can be cured with the help of varma therapy are:

Nerves weakness
Body shivering
Disk prolapse
Dehydration
Cervical spondylosis
Head ache
Sciatic Problems
Eye problems
ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) problems
Bone joints and arthritics
Gland disorders (like Diabetes, etc.)

Varma Sastra
Although most of the vital Varma Sastra texts in palm leaf have been lost, presently more than
100 are traced out. Each book consists of 100 to 1000 verses. These Sastras were not available
to common men until the recently. Some of the books which are available are given below.
1.Brahma Nila Sutram
2. Vahada Nidanam
3. Marma Nidanam
4. Kadikaram (Kannadi)
5. Marma Sutram
6. Marma Sutra Thiravukol
7. Agastiya Thiravukol
8. Marma Thiravukol
9. Marma Aani Thiravukol
10. Marma Kandi
11. Marma Bheerangi

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12. Marma Bheerangi Thiravukol

13. Marma Narambarai
14. Ulpathi Narambarai
15. Odi Muri Chari
16. Kettu Mura Chari
17. Odivu Murivu Kettu Suttiram
18. Murivu Kettu Thiravukol
19. Narambarai Suttiram
20. Kaivallyam
21. Marma Alavu Nool
22. Naalu Mani Mathirai
23. Marma Kuru Naadi Sasthram
24. Kuru Naadi Sasthram

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